Friendship and Beyond 10/?

Rated: R contains mentions of rape and torture, although not actual scenes. Possible HP/SS in later chapters, also HG/RW.

Authors Notes: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, that would be JKR. Subject matter not for children, although nothing too graphic, but be careful when reading just to be on the safe side.

Question and Answers

The door closed behind them with a resounding crack leaving the trio alone with the surly Potions Master. The three students were left standing anxiously waiting in the middle of his office, as Snape walked into his private storeroom. Only to come out moments later with his wand and two vials of colorless liquid. Snape placed the first on his desk while walking towards the trio.

"Potter, remove your trousers." Snape ordered as he advanced, taking out his wand.

"What?!?" Harry squeaked backing away from his approaching professor.

In his haste he almost knocked over both Ron and Hermione. The blood had rushed from his face and he couldn't control the minute shaking of his body. His friends both noticed his distress and closed rank around him.

"What the bloody hell are you on about, Professor?" Ron asked harshly, keeping a hand on his wand just in case.

"Twenty points from Gryffindor for cursing at your professor, Weasley." Snape sneered. "I want to check on Potter's leg before we get started. He is obviously in some discomfort."

Before Harry could respond Professor Snape cast an incantation softly, which caused half of Harry's pant leg to disappear.

Snape was looking at the seemingly uninjured leg incredulously, and before he could try to look for another injury Harry tool the glamour off himself, causing the knife wound to appear out of no where. When Snape looked up at Harry, vaguely annoyed at that bit of magic he also saw the cut on the side of his face.

"These wounds seem partially healed." Snape commented curiously, as he handed each of the vials of potions to Harry. "These will help close the wounds and deal with the remaining pain."

Harry drank them down with an aggrieved expression on his face due to the awful taste. "Hermione healed them as best she could." Harry explained, glancing at his leg as the wound closed up.

"I see." Snape murmured looking thoughtful. "And how is your leg feeling, Potter?"

"Better than it was, but it still hurts like hell." Harry answered, looking surprised at the answer.

"Very well, by the way Potter, do you happen to know who stole from my storeroom in your second year?" Snape asked casually.

"Yes." Harry answered before he knew what he was doing. He threw his hands over his mouth before he could elaborate.

"Harry!" Ron hissed. "What the hell are you doing?"

Before Harry could answer, Hermione growled, thereby getting their attention. "You gave Harry Veritaserum!" Hermione exclaimed in shock.

"What?"

"Why the bloody hell did you do that?" Harry hissed aggressively.

"Did you expect me to trust you at your word?" Snape asked, looking amused at the mere idea. "Ten points from Gryffindor, by the way, for swearing."

"You can't take point off Gryffindor." Harry exclaimed. "We're in your house now."

"Not until I say so, so I suggest you watch your mouth, Potter." Snape sneered maliciously, before he made his way around his desk and took a seat, motioning the others to do likewise.

"Good, now how did you two come to be captured in the first place?" Snape asked focusing his attention on Ron and Hermione.

"We were at the Three Broomsticks having a couple of butterbeers. I guess we lost track of time because once we noticed the time it was almost sunset." Hermione explained.

"Ya, so we were rushing through Hogsmeade when four Deatheaters came upon us suddenly. Before we could do anything they had grabbed us and apparated to Nott Manor." Ron continued.

"We were left in alone in a room for a couple of hours. We weren't hurt too badly before Harry came, I guess they were waiting for his arrival."

"Hmm… interesting." Snape murmured. "And how did you find out where those two were being held?"

"I didn't." Harry answered.

"Then how did you know where to go to rescue them?" Snape asked curiously.

"I had a vision." Harry said, continuing before Snape could ask him for details. "I used a portkey keyed to the location in my vision. I only had to picture it and I was there."

"I assume Voldemort became aware of your presence?"

"Yes, I tripped the wards when I port keyed into the manor."

"Is that why Voldemort stabbed you with a muggle weapon?" Snape asked.

"Partially." Harry answered carefully. "He wanted to prove his superiority over me in front of his Deatheaters. When I refused to join him he stabbed me with a dagger. After that we dueled."

"Without your wand?" Snape asked. Harry had to force himself not to give away his relief. If he could only continue to lead the questioning in the direction that he wanted…

"Correct. Voldemort has already broken what he assumed was my wand as well as my portkey. I had transfigured my quill into a wand and a sock into a portkey, so he wouldn't realize what the portkey actually was." Harry explained.

"And what was the portkey?"

"A griffon." Harry answered. "Tattoo."

"Quite creative." Snape commented. "But how did you duel with Voldemort without your wand?"

"I used a ring that was imbibed with my magical signature. When Voldemort started throwing hexes at me, I forced a magical energy burst through the ring at Voldemort, causing him to hurl through the air and slam against the far wall. The few Deatheaters who hadn't rushed to their master's side were hit with another magical blast, and before they could retaliate I ran towards Ron and Hermione. In the mean time they had managed to escape the grasp of the two Deatheaters who held them. Ron by elbowing one in the chest and Hermione by stepping on his foot. As they ran towards me I screamed at them to touch my tattoo. They obeyed without question and we port keyed back to the Three Broomsticks."

"Is that correct?" Snape asked the other two, who had been looking worried during Harry's retelling.

"Yes." Ron and Hermione answered simultaneously.

"I see." Snape murmured. "And you came right back to Hogwarts afterwards?" He asked addressing the question to Harry.

"We took a nap after Hermione healed us." Harry answered, grateful for the general question, which allowed him to have an alibi for the missing five hours in their story. "When we woke up this morning we made our way back to the school."

"Very well." Snape said looking at the trio suspiciously, thinking there were more details to the tale. "If that is all you want to tell me."

At this comment all three of them looked panicked and stiffened in their seats, none of which went unnoticed by Snape. He decided not to press his advantage on the three gryffindors however, because he knew what Voldemort was capable of from first hand experience, and if they didn't wish to discuss it then that was their right.

"Your belongings will be placed in the Slytherin Dormitory by the time you enter. The Headmaster thought it would be prudent if you three were separated from the other students, for obvious reasons I hope. Once you enter the common room go to your left rather than your right and you will find two separate dormitories." Snape sneered. "I hope that they won't offend your delicate sensibilities."

"However, let me remind you that the only reason you are in my house is because of the intervention of Dumbledore, so don't think for a moment that you are Slytherins." Snape continued softly. "If you step so much as a foot out of line I will make sure you serve detention with me for the rest of your school existence.. Do not think to get any special treatment from me I will continue to take points off for any rampant stupidity, so I suggest you stay out of trouble."

"Yes sir." The three answered meekly as they made their way out of the Potion Master's office.

Although none of them would ever admit it to the others, Snape's attitude was actually comforting and a bit reassuring as well. Their whole world had flipped on it's axis but at least Snape treated them exactly the same. Still the same greasy git that he'd always been. It was good to know that some things never changed.